Michael Vick Wants A Puppy From Santa

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is still a pretty controversial public figure, as many people haven’t forgiven him for his involvement in vicious dog fights that resulted in an unknown amount of cruel and inhumane violence and death. At the same time, a lot of people believe that he has served his time and paid the price for his actions through personal rehabilitation, serving his community and the money he lost by being in prison and not playing. And some people are just happy to have picked him up in fantasy leagues.

Vick recently did an interview with TheGrio.com and he believes that there is one very important thing missing in his rehab – a dog. That’s right, Mikey wants a puppy for Christmas, because he thinks that being able to show love and compassion for man’s best friend will be the ultimate step in proving that he’s not the bad guy anymore. In related news, that guy with the Megan’s Law sign in his yard wants to babysit your kid.

“I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love and my passion for animals; I think it would be outstanding. If I ever have the opportunity again I will never take it for granted. I miss having a dog right now. I wish I could. My daughters miss having one, and that’s the hardest thing: telling them that we can’t have one because of my actions.”

I don’t have any kids, mainly for legal reasons, but I have to imagine that it was a pretty difficult moment in parenting for Vick when he first had to explain to his daughter why he was suddenly the most hated man in America and had to go to prison, but I’m guessing it went something like: “Because daddy let people electrocute doggies and slam them against trees until their backs and necks broke at his home.” But if you’re an optimist like me, he could always follow that up with, “Now go do your homework” and his job as a dad is a piece of cake.